Trump Acknowledges Potential US Casualties as Iran Launches 75 Missiles at Israel
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that American lives may be lost as a result of military operations against Iran. Iranian state media affiliated with the government reported that dozens of ballistic missiles have been launched towards Israel in retaliation for the strikes.
Nour News, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the missiles were fired in response to the attacks. Iran’s English-language media outlet Press TV reported that between 30 and 75 missiles were being launched from Iran at the time of reporting.
The Mehr News Agency stated that the missiles were targeting all of Palestine, referring to Israel. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian remained alive and in good health amid escalating tensions.
The Israeli military confirmed that missiles were launched from Iran, triggering air-raid sirens in several areas. Israel declared a state of emergency and advised residents to remain near shelters.
The United States formally designated the ongoing military campaign against Iran as Operation Epic Fury. This followed as combined US-Israeli strikes continued across several Iranian cities, with Tehran launching ballistic missiles towards Israel.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, including near areas where government ministries and military complexes are located. Additional explosions were reported in Kermanshah, Lorestan, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj.
Netblocks, an internet monitoring organisation, stated that internet access in several parts of Iran, including Tehran, had been disrupted, with connectivity at only 54 per cent of normal levels.
Trump accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear programme following US strikes in the summer, which he previously claimed had destroyed critical facilities. He also called on Iranian citizens to “take control of your government.”
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the strikes were intended to eliminate what he described as an existential threat. He said that joint action by Israel and the US would create conditions for brave Iranian people to determine their own future and praised Trump for his historic leadership.
An unnamed US official told Al Jazeera that the combined air strikes were designed to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus.
Strikes against Iranian targets began earlier and have been described by US and Israeli officials as a coordinated operation. The formal designation of the campaign as Operation Epic Fury came after several days of reported military activity.
Trump previously stated that US strikes in the summer had destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities. Tehran denies pursuing nuclear weapons and maintains that its nuclear programme is for civilian use.
Israel has repeatedly stated that it views Iran’s nuclear capability as a direct security threat and has previously conducted strikes targeting Iran-related assets in the region.